Willey Farms, one of Delaware's most popular family-owned farm markets, was destroyed by an early morning fire Monday.

Flames were shooting from the building at 4092 DuPont Parkway when the Townsend Fire Company arrived on the scene shortly after 2 a.m., according to Michael Chionchio, assistant state fire marshal.

Firefighters from across New Castle and Kent counties fought the blaze for hours and remained on the site for most of the day extinguishing the smoldering rubble.

Two firefighters were taken to the hospital — one who is in stable condition and was taken to Christiana Hospital for stress-related injuries, and another who was taken to Christiana Care in Middletown for high CO2, according to David Hall, spokesman for the Townsend Fire Company.

Investigators have yet to determined what sparked the fire.

"Firefighters tried to save her. They worked real hard. But Willey Farms is gone," the market posted on Facebook Monday, along with a photo of the burned structure located off U.S. 13 in Townsend.

The family added: "She will be built again. We do know that."

“This is a family-owned and operated business, we’ve been here 43 years,” Marketing Coordinator Donna Cavender said. “The family's obviously still involved in the business, and we’re just heartbroken.”

She said they were just getting stocked up and ready for Christmas, and planned an open house in the coming weeks.

“It’s just devastating,” she said, noting a huddle of employees and friends gathered nearby, heads bent against the rain. “This has been a part of people’s lives in Townsend for a very, very long time. Kids in the area get their first jobs here, you know, it just means a lot to people in the area.”

People have been sending her messages asking when they’re going to rebuild and expressing their condolences, Cavender said.

The business asked people to refrain from donating to any GoFundMe or other online fundraising accounts they have not approved, saying they have "not begun to even think in that direction yet." Willey Farms promised on its Facebook page to keep supporters updated through social media.

Community members and employees of Willey Farms gather and embrace while emergency crews and firefighters remain on the scene at Willey Farms in Townsend tending to a smoldering site after fire destroyed the popular farm market overnight. Jennifer Corbett, The News Journal

Battling the blaze was challenging for firefighters because there were no hydrants on site, forcing them to truck in water.

Hall said that at one point during the morning, there were seven supertankers with a 6,000-gallon capacity, six tankers with a 3,000-gallon capacity, and five tankers that held 2,500 gallons of water.

"There was a line of shuttles going to them the better part of about four or five hours," he said. "Unfortunately, on large-scale issues like this, it becomes an issue because we just don’t have the volume of supertankers in our immediate area."

Allen wasn’t sure how many gallons of water went into fighting the Willey Farms blaze, but he said it was “hundreds and hundreds of thousands.”

The State Fire Marshal was at the scene most of the day investigating the cause of the fire. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division is assisting the State Fire Marshal’s office on this investigation.

Chionchio said at the scene that investigators were able to get into the building, but that it would take two to three days before his office knew anything.

"We need to interview the employees and assess from there," he said.

Hall said the nearly 125,000-square-foot building "was a total loss."

“This is a staple for the area. Willey Farms has been here for as long as I can remember,” he said, adding that many local firefighters felt the loss personally. Many of the firefighters had brought their children there to see the Christmas lights or had visited the market to shop for groceries or flowers.

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A fire swept through Willey Farms early Monday morning. The fire at the Townsend business started shortly after 2 a.m.
Damian Giletto, The News Journal

“This is a big loss for the community,” he said.

The fire slowed Monday morning's commute in the area, with drivers moving slowly on Del. 1 northbound trying to glimpse the fire, according to the DelDOT Traffic Management Center. U.S. 13 was shut down for hours near the site.

Willey Farms, a Townsend landmark, was founded by Donald and Irene Willey in 1975.

The couple's family members now run the business that's known for selling locally grown fruits and vegetables. It has a large gift area, a butcher shop and deli along with a greenhouse and garden center.

The market, which can be seen by visitors traveling Del. 1 northbound, is a frequent stop for local residents as well as those traveling to and from Kent and Sussex counties.

Many visitors to Sussex County resort areas also stop there and browse the aisles on their way home from one of Delaware's beaches.

It's a devastating loss for the community and the family, just as the busy holiday season is gearing up.

"So heartbroken for you all! I loved coming here every weekend growing up. I still loved going as an adult when I could!" wrote Katie Miller Madden.

"Heartbreaking. I can’t tell you how many friends and family I brought there because it is such a favorite place of mine," said Briana Paterno.

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